Colorado Psychology Education Overview
Psychology Licensure in Colorado
Colorado is a wonderful state to begin your career in human services as a licensed psychologist. There are a wide variety of different organizations, institutions, and companies that are in need of licensed psychologists here.
From working at a school in Boulder, to opening a private practice in Vail or working in a hospital in Denver, you’ll find many opportunities here as a licensed psychologist.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the average annual salary for clinical and counseling psychologists in Colorado is $99,690.
If you enjoy the fast paced and stimulating work environment of a medical setting, consider a career at one of Colorado’s 110+ hospitals. If working with children is appealing, then think about employment in one of Colorado’s 179 public school districts.
Finding a work environment that suits your natural temperament and skill set is an achievable goal with so many career options. The following step-by-step guide will take you through the process of becoming a licensed psychologist in Colorado.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023. Salary figures for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists. Salaries based on state data not school specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2025.
Educational Requirements
If you wish to become a licensed Psychologist in Colorado, you must have already earned your doctorate in Psychology. Of course you will first need to have earned both your Bachelor and Master of Psychology degrees to get a Doctorate.
By earning your Bachelor of Psychology you will gain valuable information about what your potential career in psychology will look like. You can also use your Bachelor’s to help you find employment in many other human services careers. Of course your Bachelor’s is also a requirement as part of your educational background if you wish to become a licensed psychologist.
Unlike some states, Colorado does not allow you to practice with less than a Doctorate in Psychology. Keep in mind however, that with a Master’s in Psychology you can find employment in many other jobs in human services. So, while it is required to get your Ph.D. a Masters of Psychology is a useful degree in and of itself.
To begin your path to licensure you will need your doctorate in psychology from a board approved school. Once you have your doctorate you will need to earn your field experience.
Field Experience
To begin earning your field experience on the way to licensure, you will need to do the following:
- You will need to submit proof of your education and also your supervision plan to gain the required experience for licensure.
- You will need at least 12 months of supervised experience equating to 1,500 hours of experience, 75 hours of supervision, 50 hours of which must be face-to-face supervision.
- You will need to fill out an Affidavit of Eligibility form as well.
- You will need to apply for licensure
You will want to familiarize yourself with Colorado’s specific laws and regulations regarding licensure. These laws change so it is good to make sure you have current information, which you can find here:
Examination
Once you have completed your field experience you can apply to take the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
Pass the EPPP with a score meeting the Colorado minimum You can find some helpful information about your EPPP here: